France to court

The European Commission is taking France to court for failing to comply with EU air quality limit values for airborne particles (PM10). Since 2005, the PM10 limit values have not been respected in 16 air quality zones across the country. France has applied for time extensions for meeting the targets, but only one zone (Strasbourg) has met the conditions for an exemption. Despite an earlier reasoned opinion asking France to act, air quality standards are still exceeded in the 15 remaining air quality zones.